Alumni Awards
Each year, the McMurry University Alumni Association proudly hosts the Night of Distinction to celebrate alums who are making an impact in their professions, communities, and the world. This special event honors graduates whose lives and achievements reflect McMurry’s core values of Learning, Excellence, and Service.
Distinguished Alumni Award
The Distinguished Alumni Award, established in 1971, is the highest honor presented by the McMurry University Alumni Association. This prestigious award recognizes alumni who have made outstanding contributions to their profession, their communities, and to McMurry University.
Ms. Melody Hunt ’79
Melody is a class of 1979 alumnus of McMurry. Melody is the president of Hunt Direct Marketing, Inc., which she founded in 2005. Hunt Direct Marketing, Inc., is a marketing firm that specializes in the Broadway and performing arts community. Before founding Hunt Direct Marketing, Inc., she was the president and COO of Target Solutions, a Colorado-based arts consulting company, as well as many other arts-related companies.
Melody is a long-time supporter of McMurry, serving on the Board of Visitors and the Board of Trustees. Melody has been an active attendee of McMurry events and has served on the Women’s Luncheon planning committee since its inception in 2014. She is a leader and has strongly supported the growth efforts of the luncheon and endowment, awarding scholarships to deserving McMurry female students. Melody also established the Melody Hunt Endowed Scholarship in April 2010 to provide financial assistance to non-traditional students.
Along with her service to McMurry in many areas, Melody is a leader in the Abilene community, serving on the Community Foundation of Abilene board, the Abilene Heritage Square Executive Committee, the Abilene Education Foundation, and Global Samaritan Resources.
*Indicates recipient is deceased.
| Shannon Sedgwick Davis ’96 | 2024 |
| Doug Wofford ’77 | 2023 |
| Terry Wheeler ’85 | 2022 |
| Judge Jorge A. Solis ’73* | 2021 |
| Paul E. Stubbs ’61 | 2020 |
| Ralph McCleskey ’65 | 2019 |
| Arthur Pertile, III ’83 | 2018 |
| Weldon S. Crowley ’57 | 2016 |
| Roger W. Ward ’67 | 2015 |
| Richard Max Wynn ’80 | 2014 |
| Don E. Cain ’76 | 2013 |
| K.O. Long ’70 | 2012 |
| Jerry D. Campbell ’68 | 2011 |
| Chuck M. Fallon ’85 | 2010 |
| Stephen K. Mittelstet ’67 | 2009 |
| Pug Parris ’73 | 2009 |
| Joe Bill Fox ’56 | 2008 |
| Mable F. Phillips ’34* | 2008 |
| Gene M. Tucker ’57 | 2008 |
| Holland B. Evans ’66 | 2007 |
| Jack Darnell ’55 | 2006 |
| Ralph J. Turner ’74 | 2006 |
| Bynum W. Miers ’59 | 2005 |
| Wendell M. Tooley ’49* | 2005 |
| Bervin O. Caswell ’38* | 2004 |
| Dan E. Solomon ’58 | 2004 |
| Mary Esther Bynum ’52 | 2003 |
| Richard Cyril Stone ’46* | 2003 |
| Phil T. Brewer ’76* | 2002 |
| C. Girvin Harkins ’60 | 2001 |
| Richard N. Countiss ’58 | 2000 |
| Sam B. Smith ’66 | 2000 |
| Shirley Ann Wagley ’57* | 1999 |
| Grant G. Teaff ’56 | 1998 |
| Kenneth Day ’43* | 1997 |
| Howard L. Green ’43* | 1996 |
| Hershel E. Kimbrell ’50 | 1995 |
| Alex Bickley ex ’38* | 1994 |
| Ed N. Wishcamper ’38* | 1994 |
| Holland Hope ’40* | 1993 |
| Jere M. Lawrence ’54* | 1993 |
| William A. Hunt ’29* | 1992 |
| Sarah Ragle Weddington ’64 | 1992 |
| Don Campbell ’59* | 1991 |
| Paul D. Lack ’66 | 1991 |
| William A. Ward ’48* | 1990 |
| Faye Bryant White ’48* | 1990 |
| Jerald D. Lee ’61* | 1989 |
| Marshall D. Turnbull ’46* | 1989 |
| Verdain Barnes ’58 | 1988 |
| Walter Morris Baker ’63 | 1987 |
| Eldon B. Mahon ’42* | 1987 |
| Canon Bradley ’62 | 1986 |
| Noel Bryant ’36* | 1986 |
| Kenneth J. Wyatt ’54 | 1986 |
| Alsie H. Carleton ’33* | 1985 |
| Rigdon Edwards ’31* | 1985 |
| William S. Hotchkiss ’35* | 1985 |
| Raymon L. Bynum ’50* | 1984 |
| Willmon L. White ’53 | 1984 |
| James E. Kirby ’54 | 1983 |
| Neil Daniel ’39* | 1982 |
| Dan W. Dodson ’31* | 1982 |
| Bill M. Ellington ’43* | 1980 |
| Roy B. Shilling ’51 | 1980 |
| Jewell Posey | 1977 |
| Wilma Jane Huddleston ’58 | 1977 |
| William A. Cantrell ’40* | 1976 |
| Ralph L. Mills ’49 | 1976 |
| Thomas H. Greer ’38* | 1975 |
| Ashley D. Jameson ’39* | 1975 |
| Joe E. Boyd ex ’32 | 1974 |
| Josephine Crutchfield ’37* | 1974 |
| Vernon G. Spence ’46* | 1974 |
| C.E. Sonny Bentley ex ’42 | 1971 |
Young Alumni Achievement Award
The Young Alumni Achievement Award (formerly the Spirit of McMurry Award), established in 2011 by the McMurry University Alumni Association, recognizes alumni who graduated within the past 20 years and have demonstrated excellence in their profession, service to their community, and dedication to McMurry University.
Dr. Danni McMahan ’14
Before entering McMurry University, Danni McMahan’s life was critically altered while in high school after a hiking accident, falling 200 feet to a jungle floor that left her paralyzed from the chest down. Danni McMahan went on to pursue a degree and graduated from McMurry in 2014 with a BS in Biochemistry, earning multiple awards in Chemistry along the way. She went on to get her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from Texas Tech University.
After multiple residencies with the Department of Veterans Affairs, she took a job serving veterans, specifically with spinal cord injuries, giving her expertise to a field where she has personally been affected, and can help them both pharmaceutically and emotionally deal with symptoms from their injuries. She works closely with students during their clinical rotations and serves as the chief pharmacist at the North Texas VA Spinal Cord Injury Unit. She is also an assistant clinical instructor at TTUHCS School of Pharmacy.
| Karl Scott ’07 | 2024 |
| Chad Harris, DVM ’03 | 2023 |
| Matthew Armbruster ’07 | 2022 |
| Hunter Sims ’07 | 2021 |
| Shawn Martin ’99 | 2020 |
| GaBrielle Mallet ’05 | 2019 |
| Dr. Ryan Higley ’03 | 2018 |
| Chris N. Montoya ’00 | 2016 |
| Clayton P. Bulls ’95 | 2015 |
| Steven C. Bristow ’96 | 2014 |
| Colby Stone ’97 | 2013 |
| Lon Outland ’93 | 2012 |
| JoLisa K. Hoover ’92 | 2012 |
| Kay L. Younggren ’02 | 2011 |
| Shannon Sedgwick Davis ’96 | 2011 |
Ann Spence Servant Leadership Award
The Servant Leadership Award honors a McMurry graduate who exemplifies servant leadership by inspiring others to reach their potential and achieve a shared vision. These leaders guide with their head, heart, and hands, demonstrating confidence, courage in decision-making, trustworthiness, and a commitment to empowering others. Above all, they place the needs of others before their own while helping others succeed.
JoLisa Hoover ‘92
JoLisa Hoover ’92 is a graduate of McMurry University and received her master’s degree from Texas A&M University in Educational Psychology in 1997. With her education, she has served students as a teacher and at-risk learning specialist, as a Classroom Teaching Ambassador Fellow for the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C., and as a Teach Plus Senior Texas Fellow in Austin, Texas. JoLisa has also served as the Regional and Senior Advocacy Director for Central Texas. Currently, JoLisa is a Teacher Specialist for Raise Your Hand Texas. She draws on her classroom and education system experience to serve as a spokesperson for the issues facing our teachers. JoLisa fights for all teachers and helps provide insight to share policy in D.C. and now in Texas.
JoLisa has a long history of giving to McMurry, as she is a member of the President’s Council. She is an active event attendee, has served on the Board of Trustees, and is currently serving on the Board of Visitors. She has also served as board chair of the AABOD and the Servant Leadership Council. JoLisa has received the Spirit of McMurry Award, now named the Young Alumnus Award.
Honorary Alumni Award
Established in 2023, the Honorary Alumni Award is presented by the McMurry University Alumni Association to individuals (non alumnus) who have displayed exceptional interest, dedication, and/or service to the University, and have made a positive impact on the McMurry community. It is presented to a person who is not an alumnus of McMurry University, but who has earned this recognition and honor through loyalty, service, and support of the University.
Kathi and Murray Edwards
Kathi and Murray Edwards, longtime supporters of McMurry University, have been instrumental in the university’s growth with their philanthropic and service efforts. Kathi has served on the Board of Trustees since 2017 and is the current board chair. She has also served in other board roles, as well as co-chair of the Presidential Search Committee, which selected Dr. Lynne Murray as McMurry’s 12th President. Kathi is a retired Hendrick Hospice Care Chaplain and serves as a United Methodist Deaconess.
The Edwards Field (softball) was made possible by the generous donation from Kathi and Murray in 2019. They were also honored in the McMurry Hall of Honor, Class of 2021, receiving the Bob and Clara Brown Award. They are also members of the Jay Society for their generosity.
| Dr. Sandra S. Harper | 2023 |
Outstanding Alumni Awards
Established in 2017, these awards recognize McMurry alumni who have made a significant impact in their profession and community through achievement and service. Honors are presented in the fields of Business, Education, Fine Arts, Math & Sciences, and Humanities, Religion & Social Sciences.
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2024
| Bramer Owens ’03 | Business |
| Dr. Hope Pamplin ’01 | Education |
| George Levesque ’96 | Fine Arts |
| Marcus Ramage ’65 | Math & Sciences |
| Heather Gates ’04 | Religious & Spiritual Life |
2023
| Gaylene Taylor ’60 | Business |
| Dr. John E. Chapman, III ’96 | Education |
| Lenworth McIntosh ’09 | Fine Arts |
| Alan C. Howell, MD ’95 | Math & Sciences |
| Rev. Dr. Helen Neinast ’75 | Religious & Spiritual Life |
2022
| Paul Williams ’85 | Business |
| Carly Kahl ’98 | Education |
| John Landin ’09 | Fine Arts |
| David Carver ’74 | Math & the Sciences |
| Tim Kennedy ’99 | Religious & Spiritual Life |
2021
| Leslie Chalmers ’99 | Business |
| Rory Peacock ’01 | Education |
| Tom Turner ’01 | Fine Arts |
| Aletha Lizette Williams ’04 | Math & the Sciences |
| Rev. Zachary Harrison Kerzee ’11 | Religious & Spiritual Life |
2020
| Rochelle McSherry Johnson ’86 | Business |
| Don Taylor ’56 | Education |
| Sarah Sheppard Shaver ’02 | Fine Arts |
| Tyler McCracken ’08 | Math & the Sciences |
| Sara von Ende Orr ’93 | Religious & Spiritual Life |
2019
| Jason Rodriguez ’00 | Business |
| Vernon D. Asbill ’69 | Education |
| Cheyenne Cruz ’09 | Fine Arts |
| A. Ray Hamilton ’66 | Math & the Sciences |
| Bishop James G. Nunn ’79 | Religious & Spiritual Life |
2018
| Jimmy Stallings ’50 | Business |
| Joey Light ’82 | Education |
| Brady Nichols Sloane ’04 | Fine Arts |
| Jennifer Codding-Bui ’06 | Math & the Sciences |
| Rev. Karen Greenwaldt ’73 | Religious & Spiritual Life |
Know an alum who is making a difference?
Nominate an outstanding McMurry alum whose achievements and service reflect the values of Learning, Excellence, and Service.